Singapore robotics firms look overseas as first RoboNexus cohort ends

Singapore’s National Robotics Programme has concluded the first cohort of RoboNexus, with several local robotics and embodied AI companies expanding into overseas markets.

The accelerator supported companies including LionsBot, dConstruct Technologies and Spinoff Robotics, which have entered markets across Asia, Europe, the United States and the Middle East. The cohort’s reported outcomes include a US$125 million Series A capital raise and an exit through acquisition, although the release did not attribute those milestones to specific companies.

RoboNexus was launched in 2025 as a venture-building accelerator for high-potential robotics start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises in Singapore. The programme is designed to support commercial scaling by connecting companies with industry partners, research and innovation collaborations, overseas market exposure and real-world deployment opportunities.

LionsBot expands robot deployments globally

LionsBot was highlighted as one of the companies in the inaugural cohort. The Singapore robotics company is now present in more than 40 countries, with overseas subsidiaries and more than 6,000 robots deployed globally.

The company is continuing to build around its R5 autonomous cleaning robot, which sits within a broader class of service robots being deployed in commercial environments. For companies such as LionsBot, international expansion is a practical test of whether Singapore-built robotics companies can move beyond pilot deployments and serve customers across different operating conditions, labour markets and regulatory environments.

The first cohort also points to the commercial paths available to robotics and embodied AI companies as they mature. Some are seeking growth capital to fund expansion, while others may become acquisition targets as larger companies look for specialised robotics capabilities, deployment know-how or established customer relationships.

“The progress of companies such as LionsBot, dConstruct and Spinoff Robotics demonstrates the strong potential of Singapore-based robotics companies to compete globally, with solutions increasingly deployed across real-world environments and industries. Through RoboNexus, we aim to provide not just ecosystem access, but the partnerships, mentorship, and international connections needed to turn innovation into commercial success,” said Mr Tung Meng Fai, Executive Director, National Robotics Programme.

Next cohort to focus on deployment-led sectors

The next phase of RoboNexus will build on feedback from the first cohort, with deeper industry mentorship and broader ecosystem partnerships. Participating companies will be paired with industry leaders and strategic partners that can provide commercial guidance, market access support and connections for scaling.

That shift keeps the accelerator focused on deployment rather than technology development alone. Robotics companies often face long sales cycles, integration challenges and operational requirements that vary by industry. The programme’s emphasis on real-world deployment pathways suggests that market access and commercial validation are being treated as core parts of company-building, rather than later-stage support.

Applications for the next RoboNexus cohort are expected to open in March 2027. The upcoming intake will focus on Singapore-based robotics and embodied AI companies working in sectors such as manufacturing, aviation and maritime, with an emphasis on operational challenges.

Enterprise Singapore is also supporting the programme’s wider internationalisation objective. Mr Wong Zeng Yi, Assistant Managing Director, Manufacturing, Enterprise Singapore, said Singapore’s robotics SMEs had shown ambition and the ability to compete globally, adding that the programme had helped companies connect with partners, expertise and mentorship to support growth.

For Singapore’s robotics sector, the next test will be whether more companies can turn technical capability into repeatable deployments across industries where automation demand is clear, but adoption depends on reliability, integration and measurable operational value.